A new report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) and College Pulse explores the free speech campus culture at Virginia’s leading public universities. This multi-campus survey with responses from 2,345 current students and alumni from Virginia’s public universities provides a detailed look at how students perceive the climate for open dialogue and intellectual diversity. The findings suggest that many students experience barriers to expressing their views, particularly on contentious social and political issues. While formal policies at these institutions typically affirm freedom of expression, students report that the day-to-day campus environment often discourages open disagreement and robust debate. The results highlight a growing disconnect between institutional commitments to academic freedom and the informal social pressures that shape classroom discussions, peer interactions, and the broader campus culture. As colleges serve as critical spaces for civic preparation, these patterns carry meaningful implications for democratic engagement, student belonging, and the quality of intellectual exchange.
This report is based on responses from 2,345 current students and recent alumni at public universities in Virginia. The survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse between March 26, 2025 and July 8, 2025.
Key highlights include:
- About 50% of students and alumni said that the political climate on their campus “prevents them from expressing their beliefs because others might find them offensive.”
- 43% of students and alumni said they would feel uncomfortable expressing their views on a controversial subject during an in-class discussion.
- Two in three students believe that professors who make comments some students find offensive should be reported to the university.
- Only 21% of students recall receiving training on campus free expression policies, despite a state law requiring public universities to provide such training.
To gain access to more insights, explore the free report.
